Daniel Sánchez-Portal, of the Centre for Materials Physics (CSIC-UPV/EHU), and Emilio Artacho, Cambridge University professor and Ikerbasque researcher at CICnanoGUNE, both members of the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), are co-authors of one of the twelve most important papers in the 50-year history of the Journal of Physics series, according to the publication’s editors. The work selected was published in 2002 and presented a new, efficient atomic simulation code known by its acronym SIESTA; its use is very widespread today.

Researchers developed a technique for imaging THz photocurrents with nanoscale resolution, and applied it to visualize strongly compressed THz waves (plasmons) in a graphene photodetector. The extremely short wavelengths and highly concentrated fields of these plasmons open new venues for the development of miniaturized optoelectronic THz devices (Nature Nanotechnology DOI: 10.1038/NNANO.2016.185)

A study by ICFO, CIC nanoGUNE, Columbia University and the National Institute for Materials Science in Japan published in Nature Materials demonstrates how graphene can be employed simultaneously as both a plasmonic medium and detector.

Oxygen inhibits hydrogenases, a group of enzymes that are able to produce and split hydrogen. This degradation is fatal for possible biotechnological applications of these enzymes for the production of clean energy. Understanding the mechanisms of this process is hence essential. An international team led by researchers from UCL (UK), CNRS (France) and nanoGUNE/Ikerbasque, have combined theory and experiment to characterize each chemical reaction step that results in the reduction of oxygen by the enzyme. These results are being published this week in the journal Nature Chemistry.

Scientists at Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, BESSY II Synchrotron and nanoGUNE have discovered that an artificial structure composed of alternating layers of ferromagnetic and superconducting materials induce Charge Density Waves deeply into the superconducting regions, indicating new ways to manipulate superconductivity. The results have been published in Nature Materials.

The Nanotransfer consortium identifies nanoscience as an essential strategy for the productive transformation of the Basque Country. Researchers and experts at Orkestra-Basque Institute of Competitiveness, Tecnalia, CIC Nanogune, NanoBasque-Spri, and the Universities of Deusto and of the Basque Country, have collaborated in a project analysing the development and implantation of nanoscience, micro- and nanotechnology in the Basque Country. This project, known as Nanotransfer, identifies commitment to nanoscience as an essential strategy in the production transformation process in the Basque Country and emphasises the need to speed up the incorporation of nanotechnologies into manufacturing processes and into products marketed.

A team of international scientists led by researchers of the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC) and the Politecnico of Milan, and involving researchers from nanoGUNE, has demonstrated a novel approach for designing fully reconfigurable magnetic nanopatterns whose properties and functionality can be programmed and reprogrammed on-demand. The research has been featured on the June 2016 issue of Nature Nanotechnology.

The prize-giving in the nanoKOMIK challenge took place this afternoon at the headquarters of the DSS2016 (Donostia-San Sebastian Capital of Culture 2016). The first prize was for Crisis cardíaca (Heart Failure), a work that explores applying nanotechnology to biomedicine and which was produced by Dayanne Huayhua (Aranjuez). The second prize went to Asier Murillo (Iruñea-Pamplona) for his comic Milan Man, a topical story about immigration in the Mediterranean. The audience prize and a special prize were also awarded.

In Donostia-San Sebastian today, José María Arias-Mosquera, Chairman of the Barrié Foundation, and Jose Maria Pitarke, CEO of CIC nanoGUNE, signed an agreement which will allow nanoGUNE to implement the methodology that the Barrié Foundation has developed through its Science Fund for the transfer of scientific and technological results to the market.

This week Petronor has presented the first appraisal of the agreement with the Department of Economic Development and Competitiveness of the Government of the Basque Autonomous Community (region), and has announced the three award-winning projects in the Inspire open innovation programme. They include the CENTINELA project developed by the CIC nanoGUNE, Materials Physics Center and the University of Burgos.